Unfortunately I would not recommend this book. The issues with the character development and the plot so far outweighed the bright spots.

Ben first was this god-like human for Marcela (which we never see or quite understand, just are told and have to believe) but then

Marcela “realizes” over the course of the book to a super villain who also may have physically injured his brother’s knee on purpose?!

Marcela and Theo have so many conversations about what they are to each other that have no development or movement. Marcela hides her true motivations, Theo doesn’t share the whole story, etc etc. It’s boring and didn’t do anything for either their individual development or their relationship together. Don’t get me started on the timing issue— they’re ready to drop the L word amongst all this mess after maybe only a couple weeks?? Their entire relationship was still being centered on Alice and Ben! (I get that was the premise but the point is there was no movement beyond that.)

We barely see anything about Marcela’s career as a librarian except for one scene with the book club despite how important her position and involvement is to her.

There are other issues I could list but suffice to say I was disappointed, would not recommend, and will not pick up the rest of the series.